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MADISON COUNTY, Ill. (KMOX) – The Madison County Health Department announced Thursday that mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been collected in Bethalto, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Meadowbrook.

The health department received its first mosquito pool that was positive for West Nile Virus on June 26, 2013, just outside of Granite City in Mitchell, Ill.

There has yet to be any human cases reported in Illinois in 2013, according to a press release from Madison County Health Department.

The virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Investigation by health officials have found that wild birds, especially crows and blue jays, are key species for the virus in the area.

Illinois has had 32 counties report positive tests for the virus in birds and mosquitoes. Madison County, however, has not had any cases yet in birds.

The best way to prevent West Nile Virus, according to the health department, is to reduce the number of mosquitoes and take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.